Welterweight Anthony Lapsley perfecting King of the Cage title recipe

Anthony Lapsley (14-3) has studied in many kitchens en route to building his signature mixed martial arts recipe.

But the current King of the Cage welterweight champion believes a successful title defense against Mike Guymon at Thursday’s “King of the Cage: Prowler” in San Manuel Indian Nation, Calif., is key to proving his status as a champion.

“I’m ready for the big fight,” Lapsley recently told TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “I’m ready to defend this title and show everybody what I’ve got.”

Lapsley has fought for a number of organizations in his still-developing career, including King of the Cage, ShoXC, HDNet Fights and Art of War. After winning the King of the Cage title in August, “The Recipe” looks forward to the opportunity to declare himself a true champion.

“I’m anxious,” Lapsley said. “I’m really ready to show everyone what I’ve really got as far as being the champion. Getting here was one step. Maintaining it and keeping it is another.

“I’ve got a good recipe, a good little something that I’ve got cooking for him. It’s going to come out with me being victorious, definitely.”

A former Indiana state wrestling champion, the 28-year-old Lapsley was last in action in an October victory over Mike Stumpf under the ShoXC banner. The current suspended state of operations for that organization led Lapsley back to King of the Cage, and organization with which he feels very comfortable.

“King of the Cage, they’ve always treated me well,” Lapsley said. “I’ve been fighting totally for three years. And I’ve fought with them damn near since the beginning of it, periodically. But they’ve always treated me good. Nice hotels, they pay decent, and they treat all of the fighters pretty good.

“I’m satisfied where I’m at. Where (UFC and King of the Cage veterans) Diego (Sanchez) and ‘Rampage’ (Jackson) and everybody else is at through King of the Cage, I plan to be the same.”

Lapsley is still waiting for his chance to break into the sport’s biggest organizations. In the meantime he’ll take on nine-year MMA veteran Guymon. Lapsley said he harbors no ill will for his opponent, but he is prepared to defeat the seven-time King of the Cage fighter.

“[Guymon] is a nice dude,” Lapsley said. “I spoke with him the last time I was out here. We complimented each other on each other’s fights. He’s a good guy. I think I’m a good guy myself. But I hear he’s a lot nicer than I am. So I plan on making a nice guy finish last.”

And Lapsley hopes to accomplish that goal in quick fashion — and for a very important reason.

This story, written by John Morgan, was produced with TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com) specially for MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). The show — which is hosted by fighter/broadcaster Frank Trigg, Gorgeous George and ace producer Goze — books some of the biggest names in MMA. Download all the former episodes at www.taggradio.com, or tune into TAGG Radio’s live shows Monday-Friday at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.

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